Tag Archives: free

In the world of comic books, the first Saturday of May is akin to a national holiday. That’s because every year since 2002, comic book shops around the world have taken the day to celebrate Free Comic Book Day, an event centered on exactly what it sounds like: 100 percent free comics.

It’s a dual-purpose occasion: to encourage reading, especially by youngsters, and to familiarize people with their local comic book retailer. What started as a grassroots effort is now supported by—along with publishers, retailers and suppliers—Diamond Comic Distributors, the company responsible for filling most specialty store racks and shelves with comics, graphic novels and collectibles.

Publishers use the day as an opportunity to introduce new readers to their titles and characters, often reprinting No. 1 issues and creating special, new comics exclusive to the event. Alternate Reality Comics owner Ralph Mathieu recommends the Iron Man/Thor special from Marvel Comics, the Radical Comics “Bigger Books! Bigger Value!” sampler and the “Overstreet Guide to Collecting Comics.”

Here are just some of the highlights of the participating Las Vegas stores:

Maximum Comics. One of Vegas’ most popular stores, it will have costumed guests, including the Neon Garrison, the local chapter of famed Star Wars costuming group 501st Legion, free snacks, candy and sodas, a raffle featuring prizes from GameStop, Panera Bread and Regal Cinemas, and, of course, a huge sale on non-free merchandise. 5130 S. Fort Apache Road

Alternate Reality Comics. The Valley’s most indie-friendly shop is focusing on the comics themselves, unleashing a plethora of back issues and overstock titles in front of the store for a deep-discounted sidewalk sale. 4800 S. Maryland Parkway

Wishing Well Comics. Formerly known as Dreamwell Comics, this is one of the oldest comic bookstores in Vegas, and as usual, will host one of its 25-cent sidewalk sales featuring boxes of old and new comics, as well as 15 percent off everything in the store. 5706 W. Charleston Blvd.

Comic Oasis. Northwest Valley residents will find plenty of goodies at this area favorite, including 20 percent off graphic novels, 50 percent off T-shirts, signed merchandise up for raffle and members of the 501st Legion. 3121 N. Rainbow Blvd.

Avatar Comics and Games. In addition to the Free Comic Book Day titles, Avatar will feature a storewide sale with up to 40 percent off comic-related merchandise, raffle prizes, costumed characters and ice cream samples from Dairy Queen. 881 S. Rainbow Blvd.

It’s seen prominently throughout Siegel Suites’ advertising in Las Vegas: “Live Here. Eat Free.” The free-food concept is simple. Daily food vouchers for a meal at the Golden Grill at downtown’s Gold Spike—which Siegel Suites owns—are given to tenants who pay their rent on time. Stay a week and it’s five vouchers; two weeks, 10.

The program will also soon expand to the Barcelona hotel-casino, one of Siegel’s recent acquisitions, when that site’s restaurant is remodeled later this year.

As altruistic as free food may sound, it’s still a solid marketing tactic. Siegel Suites residents are introduced to a Siegel gaming property via the token hot dog or grilled cheese sandwich plate. Of course, giving away food and drink to lure in gamblers is as Vegas as neon. And it’s just one of many ideas that owner Stephen Siegel likely has for putting bodies in front of slots at the Gold Spike.

Siegel and his investors have put some serious cash into the Gold Spike, about $5 million and counting. It’s an effort that seems to have gone beyond a labor of love to more of a labor of, well, labor. Underneath every decayed layer peeled back at the old property, Siegel admits, lies another layer that could eat up more time and money.

The trials of renovating an old property have pushed back the project’s completion about six months, to the first quarter of this year.

The Golden Grill has been updated with a modern-diner look. The menu is standard American-grill fare: burgers, wraps and a $4.99 prime rib. But the Siegel Suites vouchers are tied to a limited menu tucked between salt and pepper shakers and sugar packets. The menu has a single offering for each day. Items tend to be less exciting—chicken fingers, BLTs and hot dogs to grilled cheese sandwiches and spaghetti with marinara—but still perhaps worth the price of a bus fare.

Representatives from Disney theme parks will be in Las Vegas this Friday, February 6, at Town Square, 6605 Las Vegas Blvd. South, from 11 a.m to 1 p.m. to encourage people to visit their attractions.

As part of Disney’s “What Will You Celebrate?” promotion, they will give away grand prizes of all-expense-paid vacations for four to a Disney park of the winner’s choice.

Each person who registers for the promotion will receive a free admission to a Disney park on his or her birthday and an opportunity to win a variety of electronic prizes. Valid birth documentation is required.

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